Constitution & Bylaws

Macon Aero Modelers, Inc. Chartered Club #3114 of Academy of Model Aeronautics

Macon Aero Modelers, Inc. is western North Carolina’s most progressive radio-controlled model aircraft club. All forms of radio control aero modeling are encouraged: fixed wing power, soaring, electric aircraft, and helicopters.

Macon Aero Modelers, Inc. is an AMA Gold Leader Club. The Club also offers flight instruction to beginners.

Flying Site Location

The flying field is located at 516 Tessentee Road in Otto, North Carolina, approximately one-half mile up Tessentee Road, which is off Highway #441.

The runway is turf quality Bermuda grass. The airport is open year-round. AMA membership is required for all fliers.

Website

Our website may be visited at: maconaeromodelers.com. It is available to R/C flyers around the world and offers information about our club, photographs, and tech tips.

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Article I: Name

Section I

The name of this organization will be Macon Aero Modelers, Inc. and will hereinafter be referred to as the Club.

Section II

The Club administration office will be the address of the incumbent President.

Section III

The fiscal year of the Club begins January 1st of each year and ends December 31st of each year.

Section IV

The Club will be a chartered member of the Academy of Model Aeronautics, hereinafter referred to as AMA.

Article II: Objectives

Section I

The objective of this Club is to advance the sport/hobby of model aviation of all types.

Article III: Membership

Section I

Membership in this Club is open to all people interested in the sport/hobby of model aviation, who have paid their annual dues of membership and are in good standing with this Club.

Each member will have voting privileges. New members must complete the club application form and be sponsored by a current club member.

Section II

All members must be a current member with AMA and be able to produce their AMA membership card.

Additionally, it is recommended that members comply with current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations and requirements for model aviation.

Section III

All members will observe the objectives, rules, and regulations of this Club, as set forth in this Constitution and Bylaws. Failure to do so will be reason for disciplinary action or expulsion from membership through action by the Board of Directors.

A member may be expelled from the club by a two-thirds vote cast by the general membership.

A. Flight Safety Issues Complaints/issues relating to safe flying operations at the field should be brought to the attention of the Safety Officer for resolution. The Safety Officer may seek guidance and/or resolution from the Board of Directors.

B. Non-flying Safety Complaints/Issues The Board of Directors is charged with resolving all other issues and business of this club (Article VI, Section I), including complaints and/or issues arising between club members.

Section IV: Honorary Members

This Club may have honorary members.

• An honorary Member will be recommended by the Board of Directors and approved by the membership by majority vote of members present at any meeting of members.
• An honorary member will not be required to pay annual dues.
• An honorary member will have no voting privileges in this Club.
• An honorary member wishing to fly would be required to join AMA to have insurance coverage.

Article IV: Dues

Section I

Dues are paid annually in the amount set forth by the Board of Directors.

• Dues must be paid by each member within a period of ninety (90) days.
• If a member’s dues are not paid within the ninety (90) day period, that member will be considered as resigned from the Club.
• The Treasurer may send out reminders if dues are not paid by March 31st.

Section II

Membership dues are due beginning the first (1st) day of January of each year.

• A returning member is a member who paid dues as of December 31st of the prior year.
• A new member is someone who completes a club application form and pays dues for the coming year.

Dues for a new member are:

• Full dues (or the same as the dues for a returning member), if paid between January 1st and June 30th of the calendar year.
• Half dues, if paid after July 1st.

Section III

Membership dues are not refundable under any circumstances.

Section IV: Visitors

• A person may fly as a visitor up to three times in a calendar year without paying dues or fees.
• Visitors must provide proof of AMA membership to verify that they have insurance.

Section V: Sponsored Member

The BOD may approve suspending a member’s dues in recognition of his/her work and/or contributions to the club.

Article V: Donations and Fees

Section I

This Club may accept donations. If the donations are non-specific, they will be deposited to the general treasury of this Club and disbursed as the Board of Directors of this Club deems appropriate.

Section II

This Club reserves the right to charge a fee per sales space. Amount to be determined by the event. All proceeds will be deposited to the general treasury of this Club and disbursed as the Board of Directors of this Club deems appropriate.

Article VI: The Board of Directors and Officers

Section I: Officers of This Club

The Board of Directors and Officers of this Club will consist of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Safety Coordinator Officer, Field Maintenance Officer, and the Public Relations Officer.

The Board of Directors and Officers will dispose of all Business pertaining to this Club.

Section II: Term of Office

• The term of office for each Board of Director and Officer will be a one (1) year term.
• The term shall be from January 1st of each year to December 31st.
• Any Board of Director or Officer may serve more than a one (1) year term and it may be consecutive terms.

Section III: Vacancies of Office

Should a member of the Board of Directors or Office resign prior to the end of their term of office, a replacement will be appointed by the President of this Club, with the approval of the Board of Directors, to fill the vacancy for the remainder of that term.

Where substitution of an officer’s absence is not clear, any of the officers present can act in pro tem capacity.

Section IV

The Club may elect 2 Directors at Large elected by the general membership.

Article VII: Qualifications, Election and Duties of the Board of Directors and Officers

Section I: President

The President will be elected by the members of this Club by affirmative majority vote in December of each year.

• The President will preside at all general membership meetings, board meetings and any other special meeting deemed necessary to call.
• All meetings of this Club will be called by the President of this Club, and all necessary members will be notified of such meeting by the President, or at the direction of the President.
• The President will appoint all committee chair-persons of all committees of this Club.
• The President will be ex-officio member of all Committees of this Club.
• The President is to be the official contact of this Club with the AMA.
• The President will submit all reports and communications with AMA.
• The President will prepare the agenda for all meetings.
• The President will negotiate leases necessary for the Club’s flying field.
• The President will perform all other duties pertaining to the office of President of this Club.

Section II: Vice-President

The Vice-President will be elected by the members of this Club by affirmative majority vote in December of each year.

• The Vice-President will preside at all general membership meetings in the absence of the President.
• The Vice-President will perform all other duties pertaining to and necessary to the office of Vice President of this Club.

Section III: Secretary

The Secretary will be elected by the members of this Club by affirmative majority vote in December of each year.

• The Secretary will provide written minutes to every general membership meeting and board meeting to the President of this Club.
• The Secretary will read the minutes of the meetings to the members and Board of Directors of this Club.
• The Secretary will maintain the official Club minutes files in an accurate and neat manner.
• The Secretary will pass the Club’s Official Minutes to the next Secretary within thirty (30) days of the change of office.
• The Secretary will perform all other duties pertaining to and necessary to the office of Secretary of this Club.

Section IV: Treasurer

The Treasurer will be elected by the members of this of this Club by affirmative majority vote in December of each year.

• The Treasurer is authorized to sign checks issued though all of the Club’s bank account(s).
• The Treasurer will keep an account of all finances of this Club.
• The Treasurer will maintain the financial records of this Club in an accurate and neat manner.
• The Treasurer will receive all dues, fees, earnings and donations of this Club and deposit these funds into this Club’s bank accounts.
• The Treasurer will provide a report of the Club’s finances at each meeting of the Board of Directors and at all general membership meetings.
• The Treasurer will make prompt routine disbursements and payment of monies due to venders/businesses for services to this Club.
• The Treasurer will make purchases for this Club with the approval and request of the President.
• The Treasurer will maintain a current list of all paid and current members, which will include their current address, phone number, email address and AMA membership number. This membership listing will be provided to all club members periodically by email.
• The Treasurer will pass the Club’s financial records and bank account(s) to the next Treasurer within thirty (30) days of the change of office.
• The Treasurer will perform all other duties pertaining to and necessary to the office of Treasurer of this Club.
• The Treasurer is responsible for sending out membership renewal and follow-up notices (see Article IV: Dues).

Section V: Safety Officer

The Safety Officer will be elected by the members of this Club by affirmative majority vote in December of each year.

• The Safety Officer will keep up to date with all safety rules and regulations of the AMA.
• The Safety Officer will communicate the AMA safety rules during Club activities and all meetings as necessary.
• The Safety Officer will work with the Board of Directors and Officers and Contest Director(s) to ensure the safety of Club Members, participants and spectators during all Club activities.
• The Safety Officer will hold open discussions of safety rules and regulations of the AMA as well as safety rules and regulations of this Club with the members of this Club at least once a year during a general membership meeting.
• The Safety Officer will work to enforce the rules and regulations of this Club and AMA at all activities and meetings.
• The Safety Officer will notify the Board of Directors and Officers of repeated violations of rules and regulations of this Club and/or AMA by any person and/or member attending any of the Club’s functions or flying at the Club’s Flying Field and may assess appropriate fines in this instance. These fines that may be collected by him/her will be turned over to the Treasurer of this Club.

Section VI: Field Maintenance Officer

The Field Maintenance Officer will be elected by the members of this Club by affirmative majority vote in December of each year.

• The Field Maintenance Officer will ensure the Club’s flying field is mowed when necessary and will keep the Club’s flying field maintained.
• The Field Maintenance Officer is in charge of maintaining the Club’s equipment and keeping this equipment in good running condition and usable condition.
• The Field Maintenance Officer may appoint other Club members to help him/her with the said maintenance of the flying site and equipment as he/she feels necessary; however, the Field Maintenance Officer is responsible for said maintenance and equipment and will make all necessary reports to the Board of Directors of this Club that may be necessary.
• The Field Maintenance Officer will perform all duties pertaining to and necessary to the office of Field Maintenance.

Section VII: Public Relations Officer

The Public Relations Officer will be elected by the members of this Club by affirmative majority vote in December of each year.

• The Public Relations Officer will promote the activities of model aviation to the general public.
• The Public Relations Officer will advertise and place advertisements when approved and requested by the Board of Directors and Officers of this Club.
• The Public Relations Officer will maintain and keep the Club’s Web Site current.
• The Public Relations Officer will perform all other duties pertaining to and necessary to the office of Public Relations.

Section VIII: Director at Large

The Director at Large will be elected by the members of this Club by affirmative majority vote.

• The Director at Large will be asked to fill positions as deemed necessary by the Board of Directors.
• The Director at Large will have voting rights.

Article VIII: Qualifications, Appointments and Duties of Committees

Section I: Committees and Committee Chairpersons

Committees and the Committee Chairperson will be appointed by the President of this Club, with the exception of people the Field Maintenance Officer appoints to his committee to help with field and equipment maintenance. This will include but not be limited to the listed official committees of this Club.

• A Committee Chairperson will be a member of good standing with this Club.
• Each Committee Chairperson’s term of office will be one (1) year.
• A Committee Chairperson may serve more than one (1) year, and it may be consecutive terms.

Section II: Nominating Committee Chairperson

The Nominating Committee Chairperson is responsible for the process of electing officers for the club. The Chairperson, in coordination with the President, will set dates in November to carry out our election procedures which include:

1. Survey current BOD officers to determine their desire to continue for the next year.
2. Survey club membership to see if any member desires to serve in a leadership position.
3. Present a proposed slate of officers at the general membership meeting/Christmas Party for election in December.

The Chairperson will receive the votes of the members, tally votes, and present the results to the President. The Chairperson may establish procedures to elect officers electronically by email if a physical meeting is not possible.

Article IX: Meetings of This Club

Section I: Annual Membership Meetings

• There will be at least one annual meeting of the membership of this Club.
• The place and time of this meeting will be called by the President of this Club.
• A quorum of membership at this meeting will be the number of this Club’s members who are present and are in good standing.
• The majority vote of these members will be sufficient for the transaction of this Club’s business.

Section II: Board of Directors Meetings

• There will be at least one annual meeting of the Board of Directors and Officers of this Club.
• The place and time of this meeting will be called by the President of this Club.
• A quorum of Board of Directors and/or officers will be five of these members.
• The President will refrain from voting on issues presented to the Board of Directors of this Club, except in the instance to break a tie vote.

Article X: Amendments to This Constitution and Bylaws

Section I: Amendments

All recommendations to amend this Constitution and Bylaws will be made by the Board of Directors.

Sections amended/revised (12/6/2025) include:

• Article III: Membership, Section II: AMA membership; Section III: Disciplinary Action, Complaints Resolution added.
• Article IV: Dues, Section II: Guidance on pro-rating dues for new members added.
• Article IV: Dues, Section IV: Visitors, added.
• Article IV: Dues, Section V: Sponsored member, added.
• Article VIII: Duties of Committees, Section II: Guidance on the process for electing club officers.

Section II: Notification

Notification of amendments to this Constitution and Bylaws will be by written notification to the members of this club by the Board of Directors. This written notification may be via U.S. Postal Service regular mail and/or Email. Notification will be thirty (30) days prior to a general membership meeting of the Club’s members.

Section III: Voting

A vote on changes or amendments to this Constitution and Bylaws is required by the members of this meeting. Changes/Amendments require a majority vote of members attending the General Membership meeting.

Article XI: Parliamentary Authority

Section I

This Club will follow the rules contained in the latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order. The Robert’s Rules of Order will govern this Club in all cases which are not otherwise contained in this Constitution and Bylaws.

Article XII: Termination of This Club

Section I

The decision to terminate this Club will be the decision of the Club’s Board of Directors. Upon deciding to terminate or dissolve this Club, the Board of Directors will dispose of the Club’s assets and advise AMA of the decision.

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